Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) of The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Friday (21 May) with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) of Finland and Edunation, a Finnish organization, that facilitates students' access to Finnish education system to enhance academic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Finland.
The MOU provides a framework of collaboration in areas such as developing educational opportunities for students in LiPACE and SAMK, developing a guaranteed path for LiPACE students to study at SAMK of Finland and promoting closer ties between the two places through exchange visits, summer camps and any other academic activities that are mutually beneficial.
An articulation agreement was also signed on the same occasion to facilitate the transfer and degree completion of students having earned the Higher Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Studies at LiPACE to the Bachelor of Hospitality Management at SAMK. This is the very first step in the collaboration which will lead to many new joint initiatives between the two institutions.
“I hope this new partnership will flourish in the years to come, so that the students and the faculty of both universities can benefit from the rich outcomes the collaboration can bring together,” OUHK President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing said.
SAMK is an industrial higher education institution with high employability of students in Finland, while CE is an established Vocational Professional Education and Training (VPET) provider with “Advancing VPET and Lifelong Learning for All” as one of its missions. Both institutions have a strong vocational emphasis and play a significant role in training professionals in response to the manpower needs of labour market. The signing of the MOU signifies both institutions' shared intent to promote the advancement of academic excellence and cross-cultural understanding between Finland and Hong Kong.
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students’ learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
OUHK comprises six Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes.
The Council of the OUHK has earlier approved the new title 'Hong Kong Metropolitan University' for the University. The process of amending the ordinance governing the University has been started and formal approval from the Legislative Council will be sought. The new title shows the unique position of the University in metropolitan Hong Kong. It also signifies the University’s path of transformation from a modest distance education institution to a full-fledged university and reflects its unique characteristics and strategic focuses.
OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
University Retitling website: https://retitling.hkmu.edu.hk
About the LiPACE:
The Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) is one of the six constituent schools of The Open University of Hong Kong. Originally established in 1992 as the Centre for Continuing and Community Education (CCCE) and renamed as LiPACE in 2000, it has carried out its original mission of serving the broadest range of learners in HK. LiPACE is now an established Vocational Professional Education and Training (VPET) provider of full-time post-secondary education and part-time professional and continuing education as well as corporate training. At the same time, it advances non-formal learning through its two flagship programmes for women and senior learners, the Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP) and the Elder Academy Open University (EAOU).
LiPACE website: www.hkmu.edu.hk/lipace
